Dimapur, September 27 : The Eastern Nagaland College Students' Union has protested recent changes that were reportedly affected by the department of Technical Education over ‘spot counselling.’ In a press release today stating their grievances, it warned of “extreme steps” if the government fails to address its demands.
“The ENCSU is appalled to see the notification issued by the director, department of Technical Education calling for spot counselling on 28th September 2016. The ENCSU questions the department's attitude towards the Backward Tribes of the state,” the union stated.
“When the underprivileged people are appealing time and again in good faith, the department calling for counselling violating the assurance given to the ENCSU by the state government on 6th September 2016 is uncalled for.” The union also expressed surprise “to see the change of the department's stand on this matter after receiving additional MBBS and BDS seats.”
When the union requested the department to use the “2014 method” to filling the vacant seats by the BT candidates, “the department had stated that they could not do anything as the selection for the seats was done by the Common Selection Board (CSB).” It alleged that the department was ‘violating own stand’ and “now trying to allot the additional seats by the NEET qualified candidates which is a direct challenge and insult to the union in particular and Backward Tribes in general.”
The union also alleged that the department was able to allot the vacant seats by using different forms of methods “when it is in the interest of others.” But, the press release lamented, “When the BTs appealed the department to give us our due share, they brought up all the lame excuses just to deprive and discriminate the people from Backward Tribes.”
The union expressed surprise “to see the notification from the director even before the decision of the cabinet is disseminated to anyone.” The ENCSU has warned the department and the government against ‘failing to fulfil our demands.’ “...we will be compelled to take extreme steps deemed necessary to safeguard the interest of the BTs. The ENCSU will not compromise till the demands mentioned in the union's ultimatum submitted to the chief secretary on 26th July 2016 are addressed and justice is delivered.” The union has also asked its members to “stay physically and mentally prepared to respond to the call of the union positively in case the union is compelled to call for the next phase of agitation which may be sudden and severe.”
